Over 120 people from 3 years old to over 75 years took part in the latest Feilding Moa Harrier cross country race held at Banners farm near Stanway. The race was contested as an open handicap, with runners assigned various start times based on prior performances
Minimoa’s (6 years and under) is proving to be very popular this year. There were 12 running today with the boys won by Oliver Long 7 minutes 18 seconds, from James Van Kampen 9:43 (despite two forward rolls after a tumble on one of the downhills) and Timmy Konijn 10:09. The girls were lead in by Becky Cudby 7:19, who was only just behind Oliver. Next were Phoebe Lintott 8:12 and Scarlet Avison-Woodhead 10:10.
From beginning as a Minimoa last season, Harry Long has now graduated into the 7-13 year grade and was delighted to learn he won the Pat & Bruce Wilson Cup today. He finished in 44 minutes 48 seconds. Joshua Addenbrooke was next on 45:24 and Isaiah Woodfield 3rd in 45:33. Fastest overall time for the 2.5km lap went to Joshua Humphreys 11:12, Joshua Addenbrooke 12:54, Lewis Ives 13:12.
The Iplex Cup for 7-13 year girls saw 27 finish, compared to 11 boys. The winner was hazel Duker 38:13 from Millie Evans 39:08 and Zoe Grace 39:11. Fastest times went to Millie Evans 11:08, Mia Thomson 11:30 and Maggie Lintott 11:43.
Junior Women did two laps, 5km and were running for the Janine Wasley Memorial Cup. Janine’s parents were on hand to present the cup, and it was fittingly won by Kate Wasley in 31:18 from Lucy McLean 31:33 and Jaime Crofskey 32:45. McLean had the fastest time of 21:33 followed by Courtney Fitzgibbon 22:59 and Bella Ives 25:11.
The Towyn Jones Shield for Colts was a close finish with Nelson Doolan winning in 33:01 from Samuel Stichbury 33:03 and Cameron Walker 33:29. Doolan also had the fastest time 19:31 from Stichbury 19:33 and Walker 21:44.
The Mike Hannett Memorial Cup is awarded to the women’s handicap winner over the 5km distance. It was three years to the day since Mike passed away. Aimee Perrett took the lead on the final downhill with 700m to go and won in 43:30 from Fiona Donald 44:16 and Cheryl Hirschberg 44:29. Fastest time was Dorota Starzak 22:36, Anita Chan 25:21 and Juanita Paterson 25:50.
The Ossie Thomas Cup has been part of Feilding Moa competition for the past seventy one years. This year 29 men contested it over 3 laps, 7.5km. Men’s handicapper Bill Twiss should be pleased with the number of close finishes, despite 25 minutes separating the first to last starters.
Winning his first cross country cup after about eight years of trying was a satisfying experience for Adam Duker. He crossed the line in 49:22 from last weeks winner Josh Brooks 49:36 and first-year member Mark Grace 50:03. Grace turned up a few weeks ago just to support his wife Emma and daughter Zoe but soon joined the Feilding Moa experience as a member also. Fastest of the men was Sam Phillips 28:02 from Tim Carpenter 30:47 and Mark Searle 31:07.
